Beach Episode Mixtape
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Olivichii assembles 12 songs to attain the vibe of a beach episode of a favorite show. Read Olivichii’s thoughts on each song and listen along to the Spotify playlist on top and/or the YouTube playlist at the bottom of the post.
Summer isn’t over just yet! There’s still plenty time to cram in any last-minute activities before the beginning of the end (of the year) creeps up on us. A casual outing to the beach is one of the best ways to wrap up the season. Whenever I go, I’m always shooting for an experience not dissimilar to the kinds of beach episodes in slice-of-life anime (like Lucky Star or Ouran High School Host Club for those familiar). I wanted to curate a playlist that captured the sentiments and themes that are notorious in these kinds of episodes.
1. “You Know It” by Colony House
It’s early—earlier than you’re used to waking up, especially when you have time off—but it’s for a good cause. In a whirlwind you run around the room getting ready, texting friends, packing extra towels, checking the weather… there seems to be no end to your preparatory chores. Finally, after being picked up and having everyone accounted for, some brave soul has to make the unfortunate announcement that the group forgot something imperative to the trip. After a collective sigh, y’all run one last errand, before grabbing coffee, and heading to where land meets sea.
2. “California Girls” by The Miracals
A solid 10 minutes into the drive and the waves of adrenaline that got everyone up have plummeted. It’s still early and the caffeine hasn’t hit just yet. Spirits are high, though, as every once in a while someone sleepily comments on how excited they are.
3. “Reaper” by Manwolves
The world has slowly been transforming as y’all drive. Now instead of suburbs and building parks blocking the horizon line there’s nothing but fenced prairie and tall grass alongside the road. Music is playing, everyone’s talking, the car buzzes with activity, and one of the more attentive members of the group is always delighted to point out any animals y’all drive by. Getting to the beach shouldn’t take much longer, excited cheers are heard in the backseat as the first good glimpse of the water can be seen. There’s this pressing feeling in the chest like the sensation of going down the first drop of a roller coaster.
4. “I Deserve” by Smino, NOS.
Angst be damned, letting the heaviness of your heart sink through the sand leaves you with a pit in your stomach only joy can fill.
5. “Swimming” by The Miracals
You’re sitting under the shade after setting everything up with your friends. Two of them are out treading water while the other is rummaging through the cooler. It feels a little awkward knowing that anyone can percieve y’all at their own discretion. You start looking around at other groups and can’t help wondering what they think whenever their eyes wander. A shout turns your attention back to the shore where you see your friends beckoning you to join them.
6. “Toothache” by Topaz Jones
The afternoon passes by in a blur of water and sand as the sun bakes the entire beach. Breaks from running around are spent under shade, the smell of fruit and SPF is light but everpresent.
7. “Switch Lanes” by Simpson
A couple hours before leaving someone suggests packing up the supplies that won’t be used again. The reminder that this time is limited hits hard, but doesn’t hurt the way you thought it would.
8. “Remember Summer Days” by Anri
Everyone decides to take one last dip into the water before packing everything else up and heading home. No one wants to get completely soaked again so, while your friends wade around and talk, you take a step back to witness them in the moment. Like all good memories, you feel lucky and grateful and only a little sad that it’s over now. Standing in the water, feeling your feet slowly sinking into the sand, you wonder how long it would take for the beach to swallow you whole.
9. “Diddy Bop” by Noname, Cam O’bi, Raury
The world slows down for a second as you close your eyes and listen intently to everything at once.
10. “SUMMER BLUE” by Bread And Butter
As the sun continues to lower, it becomes clear that the day is reaching its conclusion. Still, everyone loiters just a little longer, no one wanting to break the invisible seal of tranquil peace.
11. “CYANIDE” by Daniel Caesar
As y’all drive back home the sound of tires against pavement, that rhythmic thumping is almost hypnotic and has already claimed someone in the backseat, now sleeping. That heaviness in the chest is coming back, you turn the music up slightly to try and drown it.
12. “Just Keep Goin’” by Tobi Lou
There’s a reason people love saying shit like “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” and it’s because no matter how corny it sounds, they’re right. Today was fun, the most you’d had in a while, and maybe that’s what this feeling is. Someone in the car suggests next time y’all should try camping at the beach, the driver replies by saying they’d rather eat glass than sleep on packed sand. The phrase “next time” makes you smile.
